At least 23 Pakistani soldiers and nine fighters of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) have been killed in a series of armed clashes across Balochistan, according to statements issued by the group on Tuesday.
Jeeyand Baloch, spokesperson for the BLA, said that on 9 June, BLA fighters carried out a four-hour blockade on the Quetta-Taftan highway near Nushki, establishing checkpoints and conducting snap checks in the Sher Jan Agha area of Kishangi.
During the blockade, another unit of BLA fighters ambushed a Pakistani military convoy attempting to approach the area. “Three vehicles came under attack with rockets and heavy weaponry,” Mr Baloch said, adding that “eight occupying army personnel were eliminated on the spot, while at least four were injured. Three enemy vehicles were destroyed in the attack.”
In a separate detailed statement issued on Tuesday, the BLA said that on 2 June, intense clashes erupted between their fighters and Pakistani forces in Mach, Bolan district. The fighting reportedly continued for several hours in the Goni Para area, with Pakistani forces deploying commando units via helicopters.
According to Mr Baloch, eight Pakistani soldiers were killed in the clash, while five BLA fighters also lost their lives. He identified the deceased BLA fighters as Sangat Washdil (alias Mashmar), Sami Ullah (alias Sameer), Shehryar (alias Chairman), Sajawal (alias Cheda), and Nadir (alias Chiragh).
Washdil, from Sanjawal in Bolan, joined the BLA in 2024 at age 20, actively participating in several operations before his death. Sami Ullah, Shehryar, and Sajawal, from Pirhingabad in Mastung, had joined the BLA a year ago as urban guerrillas and were described as “symbols of inspiration for Baloch youth.”
Further clashes took place on 6 June, after Pakistani forces advanced into Mastung’s Spillinji, Maro, and Phul areas. Overnight fighting led to the deaths of seven Pakistani soldiers and two BLA fighters, identified as Zafran (alias Khalil) and Sana (alias Angel).
Zafran, a commander from Peer Ismail Marwar, had been active since 2014 and was described as a “veteran of multiple battles and a frontline commander known for discipline and leadership.” Sana, from Phul Maro, joined a year ago and showed remarkable dedication, the statement said.
The BLA further said that on the night of 8 June, fighter Sangat Waseem Kashani (alias Chirag) was killed in Panjgur’s Bonistan area during an improvised explosive device (IED) operation targeting “enemy movement.”
Waseem, a former Levies force member with a master’s degree in Social Work, joined the BLA in 2021, operating as an urban guerrilla for five years, according to the statement.
Earlier, on 31 May, another fighter, Dilawar (alias Jasim), died from wounds sustained during an attack by individuals described by the BLA as local agents of the Pakistani military in Panjgur. Dilawar, son of Hamza Baloch, had been part of the armed struggle since 2011, fighting across multiple fronts including Siyaji, Parom, Zamuran, and Panjgur.
“All these martyrs completed their missions and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy before embracing martyrdom,” Mr Baloch said. “Their sacrifices ensure the continuity of our national movement.”